If you’re a Blackberry addict or a stress junkie, which can contribute to atrial fibrillation, you may be interested in this new article in which Mellanie True Hills, CEO of StopAfib.org, was quoted.
Mellanie True Hills quoted at FOXBusiness.com
P.S. A reader just sent this additional link for Blackbery addicts:
Texting and walking is bad for your health, emergency-room doctors say
So texting can kill, too.
If you have atrial fibrillation related to sleep apnea, you’ll want to check out this article as it could save your life.
Caution For Those With Atrial Fibrillation Related to Sleep Apnea
You can take advantage of a rare opportunity to ask famed electrophysiologist and “catheter ablation maestro”
UPDATED 8-17-2008: “Ask Dr. Natale” is now closed, but you may now ask questions of Salwa Beheiry, who works very closely with Dr. Natale. Click on the link above to learn more and to go to the site where you can ask Salwa your questions.
It’s been pretty hectic with my travel marathon — 3 trips within a week, and I’m packing to leave again tomorrow.
Being on the road gave me time to reflect on the recent losses of Tony Snow and Dr. Michael DeBakey, as well as the losses a few weeks earlier of Tim Russert and George Carlin. Some were young, some were not, but all were tragic losses. Each left an indelible mark on us and our world. They left a legacy.
Even while Tony Snow was struggling with colon cancer, he lived with such grace, authenticity, and love for those around him and his world that even in adversity he made a difference. As we struggle with our own health challenges, including atrial fibrillation, may we also make a difference for those around us.
It was great to take time to reflect. When my days on this earth are through, I want to have helped others live longer, healthier, and happier lives by helping to:
That’s what I want my legacy to be and what StopAfib.org is all about. Please pass the word to those who are struggling with atrial fibrillation, and their families.
What will your legacy be?
If you haven’t already, please sign up for our StopAfib.org newsletter so you’ll be the first to know when we roll out new things for you in the coming weeks and months.
Last time, we mentioned the Micronutrient Information Center of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Here’s some additional information from there related to cardiac arrhythmias:
“Walnuts are especially rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid with a number of cardioprotective effects, including the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias that may lead to sudden cardiac death.”
So, walnuts can help prevent cardiac arrhythmias. Wow!
Other good sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, canola oil, mustard oil, soybean oil, and tofu.
If you’re not familiar with flaxseed, check out my flaxseed article.
If you have atrial fibrillation, it might be worth considering adding these foods to your diet.
Do these foods help with your afib?
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that may be responsible for atrial fibrillation in families. They scanned the entire human genome and discovered a genetic mutation common to all family members with atrial fibrillation.
Is there anyone with atrial fibrillation who hasn’t been told that coffee and caffeine can cause or trigger atrial fibrillation?
The first step to controlling atrial fibrillation, we’re often told, is to eliminate coffee. Because of this, coffee and caffeine are frequent topics on afib discussion forums.
But there’s interesting information about coffee at the Micronutrient Information Center of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
This fascinating site contains interesting facts, such as that unfiltered coffee can raise total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. In addition, coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver disease, and there is no evidence that it increases the risk of cancer. It can increase blood pressure, but most studies found no increased cardiovascular disease risk from moderate consumption.
What was most interesting, though, was the relationship of coffee and cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. According to the site,
“Clinical trials have not found coffee or caffeine intake equivalent to 5-6 cups/d to increase the frequency or severity of cardiac arrhythmias in healthy people or people with CHD. A large prospective study in the US that followed more than 128,000 people for 7 years found no association between coffee consumption and sudden cardiac death. More recently, two prospective studies in Scandinavia found no association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common supraventricular arrhythmia.”
So, according to this, coffee, even 5-6 cups per day, doesn’t play a role in developing atrial fibrillation or increasing the frequency or severity of arrhythmias.
When this topic comes up on a discussion forum, someone will inevitably say that they drink as much coffee they want as long as it’s organic or it’s decaf.
What has been your experience with coffee and afib? Does cutting out coffee or caffeine decrease or eliminate your atrial fibrillation? Or does it make it any difference at all?
How many of us grab some coffee when we’re stressed? Could it be stress, not coffee, that’s the culprit?
